Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to fix my watch?
A lot depends on the work that needs to be done and the workload that we have. We are a busy facility, but we take pride, personally, in every repair. Nothing is rushed! To replace the crystal or winding crown maybe two days to two weeks, while a complete overhaul may run four to six weeks, and a total restoration might be three or more months. Some of the variables to consider, very old or very new watches may be harder to get parts for. The parts for the antique watches may have been long discontunued and the parts for the very new watches might not be available yet. Others may promise a speedy turn around, but do you really want someone rushing as fast as they can to finish your job, only to rush to the next job? Watchmaking is an art unto itself, not meant to be rushed or hurried.
My watch has moisture under the crystal
(Water Damage)
People need water to survive. Watches do not. Water can enter a watch in a number of ways. First, the crystal gasket might be damaged, older plastic crystals shrink slightly or develop tiny cracks that run around the base of them. The gaskets around the crown might be damaged due to age or chemical breakdown. If you have a chronograph watch you may have dirt or grit under the buttons which, once it gets in, allows moisture to follow. Finally, the back gasket will become brittle over time and exposure to sweat, body oils, lotions, etc. One very important thing to remember is: Water resistance is a condition, it is not permanent!
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Your gaskets should be checked and replaced every two years (or every battery change) on watches that are not normally subject to immersion. On sport watches that see a lot of wear and tear (sand, salt water, dirt, etc.) or if you are a diver and use your watch as a vital part of your equipment, you should have your gaskets replaced and pressure tested every year.
Do you change watch batteries?
Yes. Every battery change we perform includes a change in gaskets as well.
Do you service quartz watches?
In most cases yes we do. We will service all major Swiss and Japanese brands of quartz watchesm if parts are available, we will service it. We will try to accommodate all of our clients requests, however, many of the 'fashion' or 'department store' brands have limited (or non-existent) spare parts.
Why does it cost more to repair my watch than what it's worth?
Many times it will cost more to fix an older watch than they cost when they were new. We put in a lot of time on older repairs to find parts that may not have been produced in this century or making replacements for those parts here in our shop. This raises overall costs on the repair but ensures we can provide a guarantee on our work.
What does it mean when you say 'Overhaul'?
When you hear the word 'overhaul' from a watchmaker it means that your watch will be completely dis-assembled, inspected, cleaned,inspected again, assembled, lubricated, inspected one last time, and regulated.
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We are very thorough in this process because we want to see your watch back in our shop only after it has been on your wrist for many more years and is ready for its next Overhaul.
I've heard that magnets can cause problems in watch, is that true?
Simply, yes. Magnetism has become a growing problem in the age of technology. Cell phones and other electronics can cause the pieces in your watch to become magnetized which will disturb the operation of the movement.
I over-wound my watch and now it isn't working, its should be an easy fix right?
If you really did over-wind your watch then the mainspring that powers to watch is broken. If the mainspring is not broken then there is an obstruction withing the gear train of the watch. If your watch has been dealt a great shock this could also mean you have broken pivots on your balance staff. Any of these situations usually result in an overhaul.
How often should my watch be serviced?
This question is very dependent on the age of the watch but we like to say a range of every three to seven years. Getting your watch serviced every five years is the best option to keep your watch running in good condition and to avoid wear on internal parts.
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Think of it like an oil change in your car, the longer you go without doing it the more likely the chances on damage being done to vital parts.